GI stasis — the slowing or cessation of gut motility in rabbits — is a common and rapidly life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention and is closely linked to diet and environment.
GI stasis causes intense discomfort and pain — the sensation of a distended, gas-filled gut combined with the systemic effects of gut flora disruption and toxin absorption. Rabbits are stoic animals that hide pain until severely compromised; by the time owners notice symptoms, the condition may already be serious. The characteristic tooth grinding (bruxism) in GI stasis is a sign of significant pain. Rapid identification and emergency treatment are essential welfare interventions. Prevention through correct diet — unlimited grass hay as the dietary foundation — is dramatically effective; the vast majority of GI stasis cases occur in rabbits fed primarily pellets or muesli mixes with insufficient hay. Owner education is the most impactful welfare intervention for pet rabbits.